Come up smelling of roses 🚶⬆️👃🌹

Meaning

To emerge from a difficult or dirty situation still seeming virtuous and untainted.

Origin

This colorful idiom paints a vivid picture, suggesting someone has navigated a messy or questionable situation without any negative repercussions, emerging as clean and pure as if they'd been handling fragrant roses. Its precise origin is debated, but it likely evolved from the perception of roses as symbols of purity, beauty, and pleasantness. Imagine a scenario where someone might get involved in a scandal or a difficult business deal, yet somehow manage to avoid blame or disgrace. They haven't just survived; they've managed to retain a pristine reputation, quite literally 'smelling of roses' amid the muck.

⚖️✅ honesty 🎭🤥 deception 💪🙏 pride 🏆 success 🦁💪 courage

Come up smelling of roses represented with emoji🚶⬆️👃🌹

This playful arrangement of pictograms functions as a delightful rebus, inviting us to consider the ephemeral, yet charming, journey from the mundane to the magnificently fragrant. It teaches the viewer not just the literal meaning, but the delightful subversion of expectation, culminating in a state of unexpected purity and grace.

Examples

  • Despite the scandal, the CEO managed to come up smelling of roses.
  • He took the blame for the project's failure, but somehow he still came up smelling of roses.
  • The knight bravely faced the dragon and, after a bit of a dusty scuffle, he came up smelling of roses and a hint of lavender.
  • Even though the cat knocked over the vase, the dog managed to come up smelling of roses, paws impeccably clean.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'come up smelling of roses' a proverb or an idiom?

'Come up smelling of roses' is an idiom. Idioms are phrases where the figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning, unlike proverbs which often offer advice or general truths.

What is the opposite of 'come up smelling of roses'?

The opposite of 'come up smelling of roses' would be phrases like 'get caught red-handed,' 'fall from grace,' or 'be tarnished.' These describe situations where someone emerges from a difficult or questionable situation with their reputation or virtue clearly damaged.

Can you use 'come up smelling of roses' ironically?

Yes, the phrase 'come up smelling of roses' can definitely be used ironically. It's often employed sarcastically to highlight that someone has clearly not emerged unscathed or virtuous from a situation, despite any outward appearance.

Who first used the phrase 'come up smelling of roses'?

The exact origin of 'come up smelling of roses' is not definitively known, making it difficult to attribute to a specific person. Its widespread use suggests a gradual evolution in language, likely stemming from the symbolic purity associated with roses.

Similar to "come up smelling of roses"

Get away clean
Both phrases celebrate escaping scrutiny, but 'get away clean' highlights the absence of punishment, whereas 'come up smelling of roses' emphasizes the maintenance of a good reputation
Emerge unscathed
Both capture the idea of surviving negativity intact, but 'emerge unscathed' focuses on avoiding physical or emotional harm, while 'come up smelling of roses' specifically points to emerging with one's moral character undimmed
Maintain one's integrity
Both speak to keeping one's moral compass steady, but 'maintain one's integrity' is a proactive, ongoing effort, while 'come up smelling of roses' describes the *result* of navigating a difficult situation without compromising that integrity

Opposite of "come up smelling of roses"

Fall from grace
This phrase argues that difficult situations inevitably tarnish you, starkly contrasting with the idea that one can navigate such waters with their virtue intact
Be tarred with the same brush
This counters by asserting that association, even if unfair, will inevitably stain you, making the idea of emerging untainted seem naive or impossible
Get bogged down
This suggests that difficult situations are inherently messy and will mire you, directly opposing the notion of rising above them with your reputation spotless

Related to "come up smelling of roses"

A wolf in sheep's clothing
This phrase explores the *opposite* of the appearance of virtue, highlighting the deceptive potential lurking beneath a seemingly innocent exterior, which is often what someone trying to 'come up smelling of roses' might be accused of being if they're not truly innocent
Weather the storm
This captures the act of enduring hardship, a necessary precursor to 'coming up smelling of roses', but it focuses on survival rather than the preservation of reputation
Spin doctor
This term points to the deliberate effort involved in shaping perception, which can be a tactic used by someone aiming to 'come up smelling of roses' after a scandal
White knight
This describes someone who rescues others, often with the implication of noble intentions, echoing the virtuous outcome of 'coming up smelling of roses' after a trial